Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships
Posted: Oct 03, 2024 12:00:00 AM EDT
Closes: 10/29/2025
Funding Information
Estimated Total Funding
$2,784,000
Expected Number of Awards
10
Description
The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards postdoctoral fellowships to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to conduct an integrated program of independent research and professional development that address scientific questions within the scope of EAR's disciplinary portfolio. The program supports researchers for a period of up to two years with fellowships that can be taken to an eligible host institution. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with research experience, mentorship, and training that will help establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Postdoctoral fellows should pursue research in directions or with tools that will diversify the expertise they gained during their doctoral studies and research. The fellowship should also enable broadening of the fellow’s professional network. For these reasons, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek opportunities outside of their doctoral institution and their organization at the time of submission.
Fellowships will include participation in a professional development program that emphasizes development of mentoring skills.
Fellowships will include participation in a professional development program that emphasizes development of mentoring skills.
Synopsis
The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards postdoctoral fellowships to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to conduct an integrated program of independent research and professional development that address scientific questions within the scope of EAR's disciplinary portfolio. The program supports researchers for a period of up to two years with fellowships that can be taken to an eligible host institution. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential and provide them with research experience, mentorship, and training that will help establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Postdoctoral fellows should pursue research in directions or with tools that will diversify the expertise they gained during their doctoral studies and research. The fellowship should also enable broadening of the fellow’s professional network. For these reasons, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek opportunities outside of their doctoral institution and their organization at the time of submission.
Fellowships will include participation in a professional development program that emphasizes development of mentoring skills.
Fellowships will include participation in a professional development program that emphasizes development of mentoring skills.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants:
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation.
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
-
Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and NSF-funded FFRDCs, are ineligible as primary host organizations. Any federal agencies or federally funded centers, facilities or institutes are ineligible as primary host organizations. Foreign organizations are also ineligible as primary host organizations
*Who May Serve as PI:
To be eligible to submit a proposal to the EAR-PF Program an individual must, as of the full proposal deadline, meet all the following criteria:
By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).
-For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation.
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
-
Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and NSF-funded FFRDCs, are ineligible as primary host organizations. Any federal agencies or federally funded centers, facilities or institutes are ineligible as primary host organizations. Foreign organizations are also ineligible as primary host organizations
*Who May Serve as PI:
To be eligible to submit a proposal to the EAR-PF Program an individual must, as of the full proposal deadline, meet all the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident (i.e., have a "green card") at the time the proposal is submitted.
- Have earned the doctoral degree (PhD), or expect to have earned the doctoral degree prior to the required start date of the fellowship.
- Not have worked for more than a total of 24 full-time-equivalent months in positions that require the doctoral degree by the EAR-PF deadline date.
- Not have submitted concurrently the same project to another program at NSF.
By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation. Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001).
Funding Activity Categories
CFDA Numbers
- 47.050 - Geosciences
Contact Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Contact: U.S. National Science Foundation
Email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
Phone: 703-292-4203
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
Additional Information
Document Type: synopsis
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Version: 6
Last Updated: Jul 21, 2025 11:00:08 PM EDT
Related Opportunities
AI Analysis & Insights
Get AI-powered insights about this grant opportunity
- Can you provide a brief, easy-to-understand summary of this grant opportunity?
- What types of projects or activities would be a good fit for this grant?
- What are the key eligibility requirements and who is most likely to qualify for this grant?
- What are the most important deadlines and timeline considerations for this grant?
- What are the typical costs and budget considerations for projects funded by this grant?
- What are common challenges or pitfalls to avoid when applying for this grant?
- How competitive is this grant and what can improve my chances of success?
- Ask any question...
AI Analysis